01 February 2022

Black Wall Street, Greenwood District Tulsa Oklahoma

 


Black Wall Street is the name given to the prosperous community of African Americans in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma in the early 1900s. There were stores, theaters, restaurants, and the offices of professionals--lawyers, doctors, dentists.

The wall mural pictured above, reflects the past.

Today, as my wife and I walked along the sidewalk, we read signs telling us of the horrific destruction of so many people who lived here along with the buildings where they lived and worked. 

The sign below refers to the 1921 massacre. 

White terrorists attacked. 

At least 36 Black people were killed. 

And 36 city blocks were destroyed--

10,000 Black Americans were displaced.

The 1921 Tulsa Massacre was the worst race massacre in American history.


Signs embedded in the sidewalk preserve the identity of people and businesses.


There's an AME church where people worship. The church history dates to 1905 and it is the only building that survived the 1921 assault. The current building site was purchased in 1908. It was rebuilt following the massacre. And, it is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.


Near the church, another artist reminds us of the 1921 horror.


Nowadays, there are restaurants, shops, and businesses in the area. And you can visit a museum.

Learn more




Link to Google Street View

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